Personal Change Process: Section 1, Self Assessment

Assignment: Conduct and write a self analysis of your personal perceptions of multiple areas of your life using Appendix A from the Covey text, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Write down your roles as you see them now. Are you satisfied with that image of your life? Identify alternative choices or goals for your roles and behaviours by using the charts. Also identify current roles and behaviours that you would like to maintain.

David Profitt
EDC 510
Personal Change Process
Section I: Self Assessment

As I begin this first phase of the self-assessment process, I have read 86 pages of Covey’s book. I’ve enjoyed the light reading and find much of what he says to be characteristic of many Biblical based teachings which are popular today. Obviously familiar with the Christian ethic, Covey has realized the superiority of Biblical methods and life choices. In other words, a study of scripture reveals many “spiritual laws” which show the consequences of actions and behaviors arising out of character. Though many would like to deny the truth of these laws, specifically those who tout the benefits of the “personality ethic,” the truth of the scripturally based character ethic beacons as an inspiration in the lives of such men as our nation’s founders, third-world missionaries and aid workers, and others esteemed for their solid quality and temperament. I can’t speak for Covey’s religious beliefs, for it is possible he has simply stumbled upon these spiritual truths, but I have been receiving his words not as the advice of a mere man, but as a timely reminder of what Scripture agrees is the better way.

It is a difficult task to chart out and delegate to myself a specific set of characteristics or roles I see myself as occupying in this life. Like many, I ride some unique carnival ride of temperaments and qualities. My Monday morning in October self and my Friday evening in July self can be very different people. Always swinging back towards what is pure and right, I must be honest and admit this ride is a pendulum of sorts, traversing back and forth from many extremes.

I have looked at the Covey chart on a few occasions now and I think it would be impossible to identify any one “center” to best describe myself. There are many versions of what I call “me,” and I will use the chart to aid in identifying some of the more popular selves I call my own. First, there is the center of money. I do not list this first because I consider it most important. I also do not list this first because I see myself in Covey’s row on money describing the alternative ways I may perceive others. Honestly, I don’t see others as an “asset or liability in acquiring money.” I do not see church as a “tax write-off” or family as an “economic drain.” However, I do see myself falling into some of the non co-human specific attributes regarding having money as a center. I see my personal self worth somehow money related. I hold to deep rooted economic principles regarding the management of money and I see possessions as evidence of economic success. More specifically, I see possessions as evidence of economic wisdom, for I have never been anywhere close to rich, but I have managed to obtain fine possessions and a warm, comfortable place to live.

I think my focus on money is a product of my childhood. Growing up in a town of typically wealthy people, I was an embarrassed member of a fairly poor family. I remember my first glimpse of “government cheese,” publicly ridiculed free school lunch coupons, and the even poorer and sometimes homeless people my father would befriend. As a child, these things bothered me, so I found employment at age 10, deciding to make my own financial success apart from my family’s. As I have grown older, I have reversed my views on aid and my father’s willingness to be seen with those who were even more like us than I cared to admit. In fact, I have grown to respect and admire those qualities. However, I still hold to the virtues of self-success and support, at least for my own life, because I know I can, and if I can, I should. I would like to continue to grow in my abilities to wisely support myself, but at the same time, I would also like to grow in my father’s compassion to help others in need. He would do that to his own hurt, and though I never understood as a child, I see the value in his decisions as an adult. As a child, work and possessions were always related to money for me. However, as I grew older, my use of work and my need for possessions has turned towards simply being comfortable with the need to assist others. I still have a long way to go on this path, especially in the area of possessions, but I have begun the journey, and I know what is the better way.

Related to the above, another center I see in myself is “self.” Specifically, I see in myself the thought that I am often “better, smarter, and more right.” I don’t see myself as putting others down, I just see myself as being right. I must be justified. I must be revenged. It isn’t insulting for me to admit that, as I see this as a character in pretty much everyone. Going back to Scripture, I believe we all have that battle between our superficial self and our true, inner spirit. As has been referenced in many songs and poems, greater war has never been seen than that between the flesh and the spirit of a man.

Of course, this brings me to another center, the church. Covey uses the general term “church,” because it is a term which can be understood by most readers. I would like to specify that I am referring to the Christian Church, which as described in the Bible is a free salvation for anyone and everyone who accepts Jesus as his or her personal savior. It is the salvation from anything and everything from which one could need saved. For me, somewhere in the deepest part of me, my faith is my truest center. The pendulum I spoke of always swings back to that faith. It is something I thankfully, by grace, can not escape.

Just because I can’t escape, however, doesn’t mean I don’t get caught up in self and attempt to run away every once in a while. This seems to be human nature, as described in the stories of the prodigal son or Jonah. As I’ve matured, like most people, I’ve become more stable in these facets, but there is always (much) room for improvement.

I was going to include work with money, but even though the one does provide the other, I still see them as serving separate functions in my life. For me, much of my identity has historically been tied up in my work. My jobs have always been a large part of who I have been; I have always taken pride in the work I have preformed, no matter the professional level or esteem of the work being done. I have tried to come away from this in recent years, as all work and no play makes David a dull and lonely boy. Working towards a future where my occupation will be for the benefit of others, I hope to continue to add balance and a more healthy perspective to this area of my life.

Finally, Covey lists principles as a center. I see this focus as a center of the other centers. What are one’s principles about work, family, money, pleasure, etc.? I hope to live a life where each of my centers or selves holds true to ethical, honest, beneficial and rewarding principles. Also, one area Covey did not list as a center is the physical self. Clearly some people over indulge this area, spending hours every day exercising and ingesting various forms of power bars and shakes. I, however, tend to ignore this area. Though the physical is clearly subservient to other areas of life, it is by no means unimportant. Myself, I tend to ignore the physical. I know I should exercise, or at least do stretches for the sake of the big hole in my back, but typically, I do not. I have been told by a doctor that riding an exercise bike will assist in preventing fluid buildup in my left knee, but I seldom do that as well. I want to want to, but when it comes down to the moment, I don’t. I need to make this a focus area, for there will be a healthier and happier me if I do.

An assignment like this can go in many directions. On one day, the writer may focus on the negative, seeing the many areas of his life which need improvement. On another, the writer may feel idealistic, espousing the many benefits of high quality character and professionalism. But no matter the mood of the moment, hopefully the writer (me, in this case) leaves with a sense of the possibility of improvement. With a narrowed focus, and reminder of what is the better way, I believe I have that sense of possibility.

Filed under: EDC 510-511 Consultation in Schools and Practicum
Copyright: September, 2003 - David Profitt